When firefighters arrived the building was engulfed. Firefighters also say that the fire created an "ember shower" that showered hot embers onto nearby homes. One two-story house nearby caught fire briefly.

Many in New Orleans and on the Westbank reported smelling smoke from the fire. Winds were blowing the smoke from the fire towards those areas.

The mansion has not been occupied or in use for years and had fallen into disrepair, but its owners, the Mereaux Foundation, said they had begun work to bring it back to life.